How to Chat Within Your Email Using Google Chat

BY /November 27, 2014 7:35 am

Are you the type of person who loves talking to your friends even when you’re inside the office?

Do you want to know a way to chat with them during office hours? If you answered yes to both questions, then you need to continue reading because we will be introducing you to a convenient way to continue getting the latest gossips from your friends without looking at your phone every minute to check your messages – in fact, you don’t need to look away from your computer screen to do it.

Chatting Inside Your Email

Google Chat, or more commonly known as Google Talk, is an instant messaging service by Google but it is now being replaced by Google+’s Google Hangouts. Google Chat is still available and you can still use it as a way of communication if you’re in the office. You will find the chat service in your Gmail account and even though you will be encouraged to switch to the newer Google Hangouts, you can skip this step and continue to use Google Chat.

No Need to Download the App

One of the advantages of Google Chat is that there’s really no need to download any program on your computer if you don’t want to. You can use the chat service by logging in to your Gmail account so even when someone walks by your cubicle, all they will see is your email window and, really, who would think that you’re chatting with your best friend when you’re on your email? If you don’t have a Gmail account, don’t worry; because it’s easy to make one and it’s for free.

How to Use Google Chat

The first step you need to do is have a Gmail account if you’re not using this email service yet. Once you’re registered, go to the Gmail website and log in your information to open your email. This would automatically sign you in Google Chat which is found at the left side of the email window. Your address list is shown and a status of each one of your contacts whether they’re online or not. If you have lots of contacts, you can search for someone by typing their name in the search bar.

Start the Chat

Once you have found the name of the person you want to chat with, just click the person’s profile and a tiny chat window will appear on the bottom right corner of the screen. This chat window is small and inconspicuous; so if someone is looking at your screen from afar, it’s not noticeable. You can also minimize the chat window while waiting for your friend’s reply.

Start a Group and Video Chat

Google Chat is not limited to talking to a single person. You can also invite more people in the conversation by clicking the “add people” icon, still found inside the chat window. If you’re brave enough to risk it, you can also start a video chat with your friends using the Google Chat in the Gmail. However, that’s not recommended while you’re inside the office and there are lots of work to be done.